political correctn

[Salikoko S. Mufwene]

Dave Wilton wrote:
> True, "race" is a social, not a biological, construct. But the arbitrarily
> chosen traits upon which the social construct of race is based are genetic.
>
SSM: Race classifications are based on phenotypes, which are
ecology-specific reflections of genes.
> So Ron's point about the unfairness of criticizing someone for their genetic
> heritage, as opposed to chosen beliefs and opinions, holds.
>
> And in medicine and other biological applications race can sometimes serve
> as useful, if somewhat inaccurate, proxy for detailed genetic analysis
> (e.g., in screening for diseases that are more prevalent within certain
> racial/ethnic groups than in the population as a whole).
>
SSM: I didn't deny the usefulness of racial classifications, not any
more than I can deny abuses of the same classifications..
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of
> Salikoko S. Mufwene
> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 4:18 PM
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: Re: political correctn
>
> ronbutters at AOL.COM wrote:
>
>> And for good reason.
>>
>>  Race is determined by genes.
>>
>>
> Biologists would not agree with your statement, because they  have found
> no correlation between the geographical distribution of genetic
> materials and that of races. For them race is a social, not a genetic,
> category.
>
> Sali.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>
>

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org